Ignition switch cut-off



arch 3, 333%. R, GALLOWAY 2,110,125

IGNIT-LON SWITCH CUT-OFF Filed April 12, 1937 Patented Mar. 8, 1938 v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,110,125 IGNITION SWITCH CUT-OFF Robert E. Galloway, Memphis, Tenn. Application April 12, 1937, Serial No. 136,250

Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic means for cutting off'the ignition current of an automobile or other vehicle, powered by an internal combustion engine, whenever the operator of the vehicle leaves the vehicle.

In the operation of autos, trucks and the like, particularly autos, such as taxicabs, and commercial trucks, where numerous and sometimes more or less protracted stops are made, in which the operator leaves themachine, there is a tendency on the part of the-operator to leave the engine'running and where the stops are prolonged incurring an entirely unnecessary expense.

Devices for breaking the ignition circuit are known in which opening of a door of the vehicle breaks a contact and kills the ignition, thus stopping] the engine; but such devices are treacherous, in that although the ignition circuit is temporarily cut off and the engine stopped, the circuit is subsequently closed when the door is shut without starting the engine it is true, but restoring the battery circuit'and causing subsequent draining of the battery even to the extent that it has beennecessary to remove and recharge the battery before it could again be used. This latter occurrence usually arises where a car is-parked, as in a' garage on Saturday afternoon, or preceding aholiday, and: the engine is killed without cutting off the ignition switch, thus permitting the battery toldischarge for a period of thirtysix hours or often even longer. The primary object of the present invention is to'providemeans for cutting ofi the ignition when the driver of the vehicle opens the door and leaves the vehicle, and additional means dependent on operation of the engine for cutting off the battery and ignition circuits so that actual operation of the engine by an external means, such as the self-starter, is necessary before the circuit is again restored and the battery reconnected;

The means by which the foregoing and other objects are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be understood from the following specification on reference to the accompanying drawing, in which-- Fig. 1 is a. sectional plan view showing diagrammatically an engine, battery and ignition circuit embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view, showing on a larger scale, the circuit and switching mechanisms.

In these views it will be understood that substantially all of the instrumentalities employed are typical only of instrumentalities which may be employed in the circuit, substantially all of these instrumentalities being purchasable in the open market and their details forming no part of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, ID is a part '5 of the vehicle body; H and H are doors which provide access to the drivers section, the door H being shown partially open. These doors are shown with their front edges hinged to the body, as by hinges l3, but it will be understood these hinges maybe at the back edges instead.

I4 is the engine cylinder block, I 5 the spark plugs, and I 6 the usual distrib-utorfrom which current is distributed through the lead wires I! to the spark plugs. I8 is the lead from the usual coil l9 to the distributor. is the. ignition switch and 2| the lead from the ignition switch to the coil. 22 is the storage battery of usual type which may be charged during running in the manner usual to automobiles, but not shown 20 here.

23--24-25-26 are respectively portions which form the lead which connects the ignition switch 20 and the battery 22. This leadsis interrupted by a switch 21, which is closed by a vacuum device 125 28, and is also interrupted by switches 29 and 30, which are mounted on the door frames and are each adapted to be opened by the opening of a door, as the door II, or closed by the closing of a door, as the door l2. 30

It will be understood that the circuit shown in Fig. 2 is for the purpose of illustration intended to be identical with the circuit shown in Fig. 1, but it will be distinctly understood that the positioning and sequence of the interrupting switches in the circuit is immaterial so long as they lie between the battery and the spark plugs. Also it will be noted that either of the door switches may be omitted should it be desired.

The vacuum device 28 is connected .by a' tube 40 35 with some portion ofthe engine, such as the intake manifold 36, which is under vacuum during the operation of the engine. 31 indicates the usual well known starter motor and 38 the usual starter button.

The switch 21 may include a pair of contact points 40, 4|, connected respectively to the leads 23 and 24, and a contact member 42 for establishing connection between the two points; the contact member 42 being urged away from such contact, as by a compression spring 43, and being adapted to be drawn into and held in contact with the points by the vacuum device 28. This device may include a casing in which is a flexible diaphragm 44, which under action of the engine the connection severed. The plunger 54 of the switch29 is shown forced in by the closed door I2 and the lead portions 24 and 25 connected.

In installing the device, the ignition circuit from the usual battery on the car is brought to I j the switch 30 on one of the doors; thence carried across to the switch 29 of the other door, if there be two such doors, through which ingress and egress of the vehicle operator is had; thence carried to a vacuum operated switch 21,and thence to the usual ignition switch, the wiring from the ignition switch to the motor not necessarily being disturbed. Stated in another way, the ignition circuit from the battery to the ignition. switch is interrupted by these threeswitches. It will be obvious and is understood that if there be only one door through which ingress and egress is had only one such switch could be used. It will be noted that preferably each of the three switches is biased open; that two of'them are closed each by closing the related vehicle door and that the third is closed whenever the engine is running or is being turned'by the starter at sufficient speed to createa vacuum.

In operation; with the vehicle doors shut and the ignition switch on, the'en'g'ine is started in usual-"manner by use of the self-starter, the selfstarter turning the engine creates a vacuum in the intake manifold and, through the tube 35,

creates a vacuum in the vacuum device 28, closing the switch 21 and establishing an uninterrupted ignition circuit, permitting normal oper ation of the vehicle. 1 I When the vehicle'is stopped, the operator'may cut offthe ignition switch, in which case the present "apparatus would be unnecessary; however, should the operator fail to cut off the ignition; switch, leavingthe engine running, opening 'ofa door to leave the vehicle would permit the related "door switch to open and kill the ignition circuit, cuttingoif the engine ignition and stopping the engine. 'When the engine stopped the vacuum created bycperation of the engine would cease and the switchZ'l. also open." Thereafter closing of the door and closing the related door switch would still leave a circuit brokenb-y the vacuum switch and obviously would keep the battery disconnected and prevent drainage of the battery current. On return of the operator to the'vehicle starting would be effected as above described.

Iclaim:

1.JIn avehiclehaving doors'for entrance and exit of an'op'erator; said vehicle being powered means.

by an internal combustion engine having a chamher under vacuum during operation and having a starter adapted to turn said engine and create a vacuum; an ignition circuit including in series, switches operatively connected each to a said door and an additional switch biased open; a vacuum device for closing said latter switch, and means connecting said engine vacuum chamber and said vacuum device; said door switches each including'means operable by opening and closing its respective said door for opening and closing said switch, and said vacuum being adapted to close said additional switch under vacuum.

2. In a vehicle having doors for entrance and exit of an operator, said vehicle being powered by an internal combustion engine having a starter adapted to turnsaid engine; an ignition circuit including in series, switches biased open and connected each to a said door and an additional switch biased open; and means actuatedby turning of said engine for closing said latter switch, 'said door switches each including means operable vacuum device for closing said second switch, op-

eratively connected thereto; and means establishing connection between said vacuum device and said engine chamber.

4. In a vehicle having a door for entrance and exit of the operator, said vehicle being powered by an internal combustion engine, and which has a starteradapted to turn said engine for starting;

an'ignition circuit which includes in series, a first switchlbiased open, and mounted adjacent said door, said switch being closed by closing said door and'a second switch, biased open; and means operated by turning said engine operatively connected to said second switch'for closing said switch during turning of said engine.

' 5. *In'avehicle having a door for entrance and exit of the operator, saidvehicle being powered by an internal combustion engine, and which has a starter adapted'to crank said engine. for starting; an ignition circuit, which includes in series,

circuit breaking means opened .and closedrespectively by opening and; closing said door and a second circuit breaking meansbiased open; and

means'connected to said second circuit breaking means and rendered effective by operation of said engine for closing said second circuit breaking ROBERT E. .GALLOWAY. 

